Korean Dictionary
How to say "Are you free?" in Korean
“Are you free?” in Korean is 시간 있어요 (pronounced "Sigan isseoyo").
시간 있어요
Sigan isseoyo
Usage & Context
Asking if someone has availability to meet or talk. 바빠요? (Are you busy?) achieves a similar purpose. Common when wanting to ask a favor or make plans. Showing respect for someone's time before making requests is considered good manners in Korean culture.
Example Sentence
오늘 오후에 시간 있어요? 얘기할 게 있어요.
Are you free this afternoon? I have something to talk about.
How to use 시간 있어요 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Are you free?” is 시간 있어요, romanized as Sigan isseoyo.
Usage tip
Check the politeness level before using this word. Korean greetings often change depending on age, relationship, and setting.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 시간 있어요.
Pronunciation Guide
시간 (Sigan) sounds like 'she-gahn', with 'she' as in 'sheer' and 'gahn' like 'gone'. 있어요 (isseoyo) sounds like 'iss-uh-yo', with 'iss' like 'kiss' without the 'k', 'uh' like in 'duh', and 'yo' like in 'yogurt'. The stress is fairly even.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
시간 있으십니까?
Sigan isseusimnikka?
A very polite and formal way to ask, typically used with elders or in highly formal situations.
Casual (반말)
시간 있어?
Sigan isseo?
Used with close friends, family, or people younger than you.
More Example Sentences
Making weekend plans with a friend or colleague.
주말에 시간 있어요? 같이 영화 볼까요?
Are you free this weekend? Shall we watch a movie together?
Politically asking for someone's time for a quick question at work.
혹시 지금 잠깐 시간 있으세요? 여쭤볼 게 있어서요.
Do you happen to have a moment now? I have something to ask.
Inviting a colleague or friend to have lunch.
점심 시간 있어요? 같이 밥 먹어요.
Do you have time for lunch? Let's eat together.
Cultural Context
Asking '시간 있어요?' (Sigan isseoyo?) is a polite way to check someone's availability before making a request or suggesting plans. It shows respect for their time, a highly valued trait in Korean culture. It's often used as a gentle lead-in, similar to 'Do you have a moment?' in English. In K-dramas, you'll often hear this when someone is about to confess feelings or ask for a significant favor.
Editorial note
We check greetings like 시간 있어요 for politeness and timing, since Korean greetings change with relationship, age, and setting.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
시간 좀 내주세요.
Please make some time for me.
시간이 없어요.
I don't have time.
시간이 있으면...
If I have time...
Related Expressions
바빠요?
Bappayo?
Are you busy?
괜찮으세요?
Gwaenchaneuseyo?
Are you okay? / Is it alright?
언제 시간 되세요?
Eonje sigan doeseyo?
When are you free?
약속 있어요?
Yaksok isseoyo?
Do you have plans/an appointment?
More Greetings Words
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